The Western Balkans are stepping up efforts to align with the European Green Deal through significant environmental and green transition initiatives. New funding and strategic projects are bolstering the region’s commitment to biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable development, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050.
Key Takeaways
- The Green Agenda for the Western Balkans (GAWB) serves as a roadmap for aligning with the European Green Deal and the 2030 Biodiversity Strategy.
- New projects like "Greening the Western Balkans" and "ADAPT 2.0" are receiving substantial funding to advance conservation and nature-based solutions.
- Investments in sustainable transport are crucial for long-term growth, safety, and resilience in the region.
- Modernizing property rights and digitizing services are essential for business growth and job creation.
Advancing Biodiversity and Nature Restoration
The "Greening the Western Balkans" project, supported by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), aims to restore and protect nature, aligning the region with global biodiversity frameworks. This initiative will strengthen regional cooperation through the Biodiversity Task Force of the Western Balkans (BDTF WB), hosted by the IUCN. Key goals include developing a 2030 Biodiversity Strategic Plan, a monitoring framework, and a data-sharing hub. The project, running from August 2024 to July 2028 with a €2.0 million budget, will mobilize funding, build technical expertise, and facilitate policy alignment with EU and global standards.
Complementing these efforts, the "ADAPT 2.0: Nature-based Solutions for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in the Western Balkans" project, funded by Sweden, focuses on integrating nature-based solutions (NbS) into policies. It supports the development of a Forest Landscape Restoration Plan and explores options for a regional fund to scale up restoration efforts.
Investing in Sustainable Transport
The Safe and Sustainable Transport Programme (SSTP), managed by the World Bank with €80 million allocated by the European Commission, is a significant driver for the sustainable transport component of the Economic and Investment Plan and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans. The SSTP supports the implementation of greener, safer, and more connected transport systems. Recent milestones include the approval of a €12 million grant for Kosovo’s Trade and Transport Facilitation Project 2.0, aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and trade through infrastructure and IT system upgrades. The program has successfully allocated 87 percent of its approved grant funds across Western Balkan partners.
Strengthening Property Rights and Business Environment
Efforts to secure property rights are crucial for business growth and job creation in the Western Balkans. Projects supported by the World Bank in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Kosovo have modernized land registries and digitized services. These improvements streamline property acquisition and registration, reduce processing times, and enhance transparency. For instance, in Serbia, the average land registration time has dropped from 48 days to under four. These reforms empower small and medium-sized businesses, enabling them to invest, expand, and create employment opportunities.
The Path Forward: Reforms and Green Transition
Discussions involving international financial institutions like the IMF highlight the need for continued structural reforms, investment in energy transition, and the digital economy across the Western Balkans. Maintaining fiscal discipline and strengthening financial stability are paramount. The region’s convergence towards the European Union necessitates a rapid and effective green transition, emphasizing the importance of preserving central bank independence and enhancing institutional capacities to ensure long-term macroeconomic stability and financial system confidence.
Sources
- Greening the Western Balkans | IUCN, IUCN.
- Safe and Sustainable Transport Programme in the Western Balkans, World Bank.
- New funding to advance the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans – News, IUCN.
- Secure Property Rights in the Western Balkans Help Grow Businesses and Create Jobs, World Bank.
- Western Balkan countries need reforms and a faster green transition, vijesti.me.
